It was a strong opening day for Massachusetts’ track & field athletes at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor Championship at Franklin Field in Philadelphia.
During Day 1 of the four-day competition, Bay Staters finished earned All American in two events on Thursday, one of which produced a new state record.
Here’s the highlights…
Askjaer finishes fifth in the Discus
Two time All-American has a nice ring to it. Cohasset’s star thrower Nicholas Askjaer tossed a massive personal best of 196 feet, 6 inches to take fifth overall at Franklin Field. While hot conditions seemed to wreak havoc on the some of the races going on, Askjaer thrived with a best of more than nine feet! His previous best was 187-1 from his win at the Meet of Champions. This was only his first event as we will see him again in arguably his better event, the shot put.
The Lexington Girls Make a Statement
While most track and cross-country fans from the Bay State are well aware of how good Lexington is, they seem to fly under the radar on the national scene.
That changed on Thursday.
After finishing a tough seventh indoors in the 4xMile (from the unseeded section), the quartet of Amelia Whorton, Jane Conrad, Ella Tyson, and Callie Glenn combined for a time of 20:20.53 to take fourth overall and earn All-American. As the anchor, Whorton had the quickest split of the quartet with an impressive 4:51.39 effort. Conrad led off with a sub-5 of 4:59.64. Fittingly, the girls also broke the state record held by the 2009 Newton South squad, another all-time great team.
Downin Finished Runner-Up Again
Star freshmen Lucy Downin finished in second in the Girls Freshmen Mile. The Holliston standout was second at New Balance Indoors as well. This time it took a meet record to top her. Downin ran a PR of 4:51.18, and was runner up to Kathryn Froelich of Peters Township (PA), who ran 4:47.87.
McDonald Blazes a Huge PR
Taunton’s Mary McDonald finished runner-up in the girls 400m Wheelchair race. Her time of 1:17.63 was a massive PR. In her post race interview at New Englands, McDonald talked about often racing against herself in a constant attempt to improve. At Franklin field she did just that.
Blaze Bows out in the Semis
Clinton’s Sean Blaze advanced out of the first round in the highly-competitive Championship 100m. In order to advance, Blaze had to to run 10.68 and was 21st overall. In the semis he ran 10.73. We’ll see him again in the 200m.
Diagne Continues Strong Freshmen Campaign
It’s been clear since the start of Indoor Track that Khadijah Diagne’s career will be worth keep a close eye on. She started her weekend at Franklin Field by finishing Sixth overall in the Freshmen 100m. She ran a personal best of 11.97 in both the heats and final. She’s also entered in both the 200m and 400m, where she ranks 11th and 17th nationally for her grade.
